Windows Media Player - Intermittent error when trying to play media file-Server Execution Failed

Please do NOT move this post or merge it.   The issue we have is NOT the same.  This issue is NOT related to other software.  The problem is WMP opening, editing, and ultimately corrupting the MP3.   If this thread gets merged, Microsoft will be able to more easily continue to deny they still have serious issue with WMP.   I have already tried a "diagnostic startup", as well as running SFC ( from my initial post) neither of which did exactly SQUAT to fix this problem.  THE ONLY thing that has worked to date is to completely REPLACE the corrupt MP3 files with a known working backup.   WMP then plays correctly until it corrupts them again.  

On a side note, disabling legitimate software, that has been written to MS spec, in order to make an operating system work correctly is not a valid solution in my book.  This indicates to me that the operating system, and ultimately Microsoft is to blame.   I also have a sneaking suspicion that if Microsoft could firmly lay the blame on somone else for this they would have gladly and vocally done so by now.  Their silence indicates this is a known WMP issue, most likely similar or even the very same to the one I referenced earlier in this thread.   WMP is busted, MS needs to acknowledge, then fix it.

Sorry, you're right.  In attempting to track down the several threads with "Server Execution Failed", I attempted to pull yours in by mistake.  I would have responded sooner, but for some reason I'm not getting the email notifications.

I would still suggest running the MSConfig util, and attempting to boot with only critical items.  It might have given my system time to resolve whatever issues it was having, and I learned that "Free" antivirus=you get what you pay for.

On another note, I too use k-lite codec pack and CCCP.  I switch between them from time to time.  Technically speaking, if WMP runs fine w/o those installed, M$ has a right to punt.  They only pull from a handful of licensed codecs for .MP3 and, of course, .WM* created content.  Even if you were George Lucas calling M$ to complain about WMP not giving you THX quality audio playback, they would route you to whichever 3rd party codec was used to create you content if it isn't on their list.  I also always disable the "Download Usage Rights Automatically" option.  I also only update info that is missing.  With 16,000+ MP3s and 4000 video files, my machine would be unusable for a week if it tried to update everything.

Both K-Lite and CCCP have hosed me on a few occasions.  They are what they are, and usually are required for unpaid content.....freely distributed or otherwise.  Some MP3 players might also use a janky codec, but most have a licensed version of a standard one when "certified" to run on WMP.  I'm not implying anything, just that I would uninstall the codec packs first to rule out them as a problem.  If you were paying the $99 support call fee or whatever by opening a M$ incident, they would make you do the same thing. (Which, as a side note, I would like to point out that this isn't the same as the M$ help desk.  You don't have an "open ticket" with M$ at this point and there is no SLA in place.  Depending on how you got your Win7 copy, you might get support from your vendor OR from MS directly via email support.)

Also, the clean boot (MSConfig) is NOT a solution.  It is a troubleshooting tool that helps to rule out other items.  If you run in a clean boot, and the MP3s don't get corrupted, then obviously something else is causing issues.  That's how I resolved my WMP problem.  Yes, it took me a few days to track it down, but it only really required an hour or so of interactive time changing the MSConfig options.  It could be ZoneAlarm, it could be AVAST.  They also push out automatic update that could cause problems.  I couldn't tell from your response above if you actually completed a full clean boot with ALL non MS services disable and ALL startup programs cancelled.  If you did, then I'd move on to uninstalling the codec packs.  I'd also try changing the MP3 files all to Read-Only.

This started happening on a clean installation of 7, only thing running at the time was Komodo (ZA didn't have a version for 7 at release, and Windows firewall is not a true firewall despite what MS insinuates) and Avast (which I've used both personally, and sold to my customers for years with absolutely no problems.  Works way better than the bloatware that Symantec, Mcafee, or Trend put out, and it doesn't spy on you... *cough Norton's cough*.)   I disabled both at the time and had no change in symptoms.   I only downloaded the K-Lite and Winamp programs AFTER WMP started eating my MP3's, so I could continue to listen to music while Microshaft is busy ignoring the problem.  WMP will play the file, then eventually it will corrupt it.  Winamp and Classic will still play it fine.   WMP will not play that file again period, regardless of library rebuilds, uninstallations, holding my mouth just right, and everything else MS has repetitiously suggested.  The only way to get the file to play again in WMP is to replace it with a known working backup. 

As best I can tell, the symptoms seem to fit the problem MS claims they fixed back in the beta.  Would be nice if MS would actually respond to this thread with something other than a cut and paste BS answer with the intent to stall until I go away.  Heck, I'd even settle for timely responses instead of this once a month BS.  Maybe if they actually cared/tried we could drill down and actually resolve this issue.  But then again, why would they care, they already got our money........

Bump!

Bump

Bump

See my post:- 

http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7pictures/thread/a1ec7674-9967-49d9-8890-acad3a695798

Addendum, the files do not get corrupted but once laptop restarted they will execute and play the MP3 fine.

The files run fine on my older XP SP2 laptop without crashing at all.

Regards

Diggers